1) Indonesia should install detectors at its gate with PNG: Police

Sun, June 29 2014 17:41

Jayapura, Papua (ANTARA News) - Indonesia should install a detector device at the Skouw-Wutung entry gate of its border with Papua New Guinea (PNG) to detect the entry of undesired things such as arms into the country, Papua regional police said.

"We will propose the placement of detector devices at the entry gate to monitor the entry into the country of undesired things such as fire arms and ammunition," Papua Regional Police Chief Insp. Gen Tito Karnavian told ANTARA News here on Sunday.

He said that the proposal needed to be realized soon because the police had learned from the investigation of three residents --who were suspected to be members of an armed group-- that their arms and ammunition were purchased in and taken from PNG.

The arms and ammunition were brought to Indonesia in phases through the legal channel, namely the entry gate of the two nations, Tito said.

He said that with the confession of the suspects and the evidence in hand, devices like metal detectors and X-ray should be installed soon.

He said that based on the investigation, the arms and ammunition were smuggled in not through the sea or a footpath in the border but through the official entry gate.

The security personnel in the Papua provincial capital of Jayapura arrested four people on Wednesday morning for carrying two firearms and 300 bullets.

The security personnel made the arrest after intercepting a car in the city, which was carrying four people, identified by the initials EW, DW, TT, and R.

Inspector General Tito Karvanian confirmed the arrest while attending a coordination meeting here on Wednesday to discuss the preparations for the July 9 presidential poll.

"Right now, they are undergoing intensive interrogation," he stated on the sidelines of the workshop.

According to Antaras reliable source, the two firearms and 300 bullets measuring 7.7 millimeters were intended to be sent by road to the provinces mountainous region.

In the meantime, a military commander announced on Wednesday that TNI were ready "to eliminate" Free Papua Movement (OPM) members reported to have emerged on the occasion of the separatist organizations anniversary on July 1.

"Trust me. If we find any movement, they will certainly be shot, and I am completely prepared. I assure peace for the people," the commander of the Cenderawasih 27th Regional Military Command overseeing Papua, Major General Christian Zebua, said on the sidelines of a regional coordination meeting on the implementation of presidential election in the region.

The meeting was led by Papua Governor Lukas Enembe and attended by all regional TNI and police leadership and heads of regional offices concerned.

Thirteen of a total 29 mayors/district heads from across the province attended the meeting.

Christian made the statement in response to a reporters question regarding anticipatory measures against OPM activity ahead of the July 1 OPM anniversary.

It has been reported that OPM members had planned to conduct activities in Jayapura, the capital of Papua, on July 1, including hoisting the separatists flag.

Community members were worried about the rumor as the city was on the verge of implementing presidential election scheduled on July 9.

"OPM members will not create any disruption on July 1. We had always anticipated it. July 1 this year will be the same as July 1 the years before," he asserted.

On June 7, 2014, at around 5.35 am, TNI forces had killed Timika Wonda during an exchange of fire at Tingginambut in Puncak Jaya.

Wonda was one of the assistants of Goliat Tabuni, an OPM leader operating around Puncak Jaya.

Christian explained that TNI forces initially were only monitoring movements at Puncak Jaya border area when they discovered that Timika Wonda was about to enter a residential area. He opened fire at the TNI forces, forcing them to retaliate leading to the death of the OPM leader.

"So, we had actually been aware that he will descend on the village. However, he shot at us soon after entering the village and forced us to retaliate, which caused his death," he noted.(Uu.A014)

2) Dutch Military Police ordered Morningstar flag to be lowered or folded in theHague, international city of peace and justice.Mp's were instructed to order everyone on the Malieveld in The Hague duringDutch Veterans day yesterday, to lower the Morningstar flag if they werewaving it. This contradicts a controversial agreement that was made earlierthis week in the Dutch house of representatives (it is said under pressurefrom the Indonesian ambassy in The Hague) that Morningstar flags were not tobe carried in the veteran procesion, but specifically could be carried outsideof the procession and on the Malieveld. The gentleman in the picture kindlytook notice of the instructions and nevertheless decided not to lower hisMorningstar flag. The Mp's left behind made an official report and late inthe afternoon the instructions were altered and the Morningstar flag wasallowed on the Malieveld. One young Dutch Papuan was arrested along the routeof the procession for waving the Morningstar flag near the King and prime-minister. He was released several hours later.For pictures please visit :https://www.facebook.com/Foundation.pro.papua

Groups Urge Any New Government of Indonesia to Pursue Justice and Respect Rights

June 30 - In a statement released today human rights groups urged the next government of Indonesia "to break with the past [and] fully and meaningfully address the legacy of impunity for past human rights violations," adding that "the continued lack of accountability for past and ongoing violations of human rights threatens lasting progress."

The statement, coordinated by the East Timor and Indonesia Action Network (ETAN) and signed by 32 organizations based in a dozen countries, urged the Indonesia government to “provide meaningful reparations for the victims, survivors and their families of egregious human rights crimes.” It also called on the next government to bring the military “fully under civilian control and the rule of law.”

The groups wrote that “Indonesian security forces operate with near impunity in the provinces of West Papua and Papua,” and called for the release of political prisoners, respect for freedom of expression, and ending restrictions on international access to the region.

The groups also urged the new government to build “genuine relationships between peoples” of Indonesia and Timor-Leste by committing to “an international tribunal to prosecute crimes against humanity and war crimes committed during the occupation, the opening of all relevant historical archives, including those of the TNI, and reparations for victims of Indonesia’s security forces.

"We are well aware that one presidential contender is an admitted and serial human rights violator and that the other has a former general indicted for crimes against humanity in Timor-Leste on his campaign team," said John M. Miller, coordinator of ETAN.

"However, Indonesia's new parliament and whoever becomes president have obligations under Indonesian law and international treaties. Our statement provides some measures with which to evaluate the new government's actions on human rights."

BACKGROUNDIn April, Indonesians elected a new parliament that will be sworn in October 1. On July 9, they will vote on a new President who will take office October 20. Aspects of one candidate’s human rights record have been the subject of debate during the presidential campaign.

Former general Prabowo Subianto has been implicated in a series of human rights violations in Timor-Leste, Jakarta and elsewhere during his military career. He has confessed to kidnapping activists and planning a coup in May 1998. Recently, journalist AllanNairn reported that Prabowo had called "Indonesia is not ready for democracy,” and while praising the military dictatorship of Pakistan’s General Pervez Musharraf, Prabowo asked "Do I have the guts, am I ready to be called a fascist dictator?" Referring to the 1991 Santa Cruz massacre in Timor-Leste, Prabowo said that “You don't massacre civilians in front of the world press,” saying that "Maybe commanders do it in villages where no one will ever know…”

His opponent Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo is younger and has never served in the military, but among his campaign team are several former generals accused of serious violations of human rights. General Wiranto was indicted in Timor-Leste for his role in the violence surrounding its independence ballot. General AM Hendropriyono has been implicated in a 1989 massacre of civilians Central Lampung, the assassination of human rights lawyer Munir while head of Indonesia’s intelligence agency (BIN), and in the forced deportation of over 250,000 people from East to West Timor in 1999. Other tainted Widodo supporters include: Former BIN deputy chief retired Major General Muchdi Purwoprandjono who is also accused in the murder of Munir and former Jakarta Military Commander Lieutenant General Sutiyoso , accused of torture in Timor-Leste. A 2007 attempt to question him about the October 1975 murder of five journalist in Balibo, Timor-Leste, caused a diplomatic incident. He was Jakarta military commander when thugs backed by troops and police attacked the headquarters of the Indonesian Democratic Party in 1996. Retired General Ryamizard Ryacudu was “a hardline general known for his xenophobic remarks and criticism of rights activists.” As army chief of staff he oversaw the implementation of martial law in Aceh beginning in May 2003.

The East Timor and Indonesia Action Network (ETAN) was founded in 1991. ETAN supports democracy, human rights and justice in Timor-Leste, West Papua and Indonesia. ETAN is non-partisan. It works on issues and does not support candidates or political parties in any country. Website:www.etan.org Twitter: @etan009.